by Jim Miller, for Hawthorne Racecourse

Stickney, IL — Illinois-bred 3-year-old trotters were the focus at Hawthorne on Sunday (June 4) as the boys took to the track in leg one of the Erwin F. Dygert Memorial and fillies were featured in the Beulah Dygert Memorial Trot.

Race six was leg one of the Erwin F. Dygert Memorial trot as Bands Houdini and Lougazi were scratched, leaving a field of seven. Favored at off time was Trixie’s Jethro for driver Jared Finn.

Trixie’s Jethro got away quickly, covering the opening quarter in :29.3. After a half in 1:00.3, Trixie’s Jethro maintained command. On the turn, Totally Pazzazzed moved up to press the leader through three quarters in 1:30.1. After a long stretch drive, Trixie’s Jethro held firm and won by a length in 1:57.4. Totally Pazzazzed held second while Muscle Image got up for third.

Trixie’s Jethro is owned by Charles Doehring and is trained by J D Finn.

Race nine was leg one action in the Beulah Dygert Memorial Trot as a full field of 10 lined up. Daisy Lou Duke took late action and was sent away as the favorite with Kyle Husted driving.

Leaving for the lead was Sis’s Ellie Mae as she was challenged by Lous Credit Report through the quarter in :29.2. On the backstretch Daisy Lou Duke took over, covering the half in :58.4. On the turn Daisy Lou Duke led as Fox Valley Elana contended through three-quarters in 1:30. In the lane, Daisy Lou Duke fended off the challenge of Lous Credit Report to win in 1:57.3. Fox Valley Elana held third.

Daisy Lou Duke is owned by Flacco Family Farms LLC and Dr. Patrick Graham and is trained by Steve Searle.